The authors questioned 52 recently admitted patients about formally
receiving information regarding patients' rights and about their knowledge
of that information. Of the 13 day hospital patients, 12 recalled being
given the information, but only 20 of 39 inpatients recalled receiving the
information. Most patients, irrespective of their diagnosis or legal
status, knew their rights. Surprisingly, comparison with a group of
patients who did not receive information on their rights revealed no
relationship between receiving this information and knowledge of patients'
rights. On the basis of these and other findings, the authors discuss some
difficulties with presentation of patients' rights and offer
recommendations.Abstract Teaser